Michigan State tailback Le'Veon Bell hopes that dropping weight will prevent him from getting caught from behind, like he was here against Northwestern.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

TEMPE, Ariz. — Le'Veon Bell has become accustomed to wearing the bulls-eye on his jersey.

Eight pounds lighter since the most recent time he took the field, Bell is hoping he can be a more elusive target in Saturday's 10:15 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Michigan State (6-6) enters into the game knowing that it must run the ball effectively to beat TCU (7-5).

"I know teams will come in trying to stop the run, and I look at it that they're not going to do that,'' said Bell, who weighs 234 pounds, down from 242 in the regular-season finale at Minnesota.

"I look at it every game as a challenge,'' he said. "I just say they can hit me at the line, and I'm going to fall forward for 3 yards, I'm going to grind it out and run hard.''

Bell finished the regular season leading the Big Ten with 1,648 yards rushing and a nation-high 824 yards after contact.

The Michigan State tailback has not, however, broke off a run longer than 40 yards.

Bell said he feels good at his new playing weight.

"I feel quicker, a lot faster, explosive,'' Bell said. "I lost a little bit of strength in the weight room, that threw me off a little bit.

"But I feel good, and I'm glad I lost the weight.''

As Bell considers his playing future — he has yet to receive an NFL draft grade back from the NFL's college advisory committee — he's keenly aware that his lack of breakaway speed is considered a negative.

Some believe Bell's weight loss has been motivated by his attempt to raise his draft stock; others think Bell will return for his senior season, as he projects among Heisman Trophy favorites and Michigan State's 2013 schedule sets up favorably for a BCS run.

Mike Tressel, who recruited Bell out of Columbus, Ohio, and coaches the MSU linebackers, said regardless of what Bell chooses to do, a strong showing against the Horned Frogs' defense can only be a positive.

"Le'Veon and I are pretty tight, and I know the best thing Le'Veon can do for himself is play good in this bowl game,'' Tressel said. "I know he has said throughout, `we're gonna worry about that (immediate future) after the bowl game.'

"So right now, let's see what we can do to get him some great numbers this Saturday and we'll go from there.''

Bell has until Jan. 15 to declare himself eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft, but he recently said he could announce a decision as soon as right after the bowl game.